Leanna Lehman
Felipe Antonio Rodriguez-Martinez, in custody, appeared in Fallon’s New River Township Justice Court before Judge Benjamin Trotter on January 15, 2026. Rodriguez-Martinez was arraigned on four counts, including Lewdness with a Child Under 14, a Category A Felony punishable by life in prison with parole eligibility after 10 years, and three counts of Lewdness with a Child Under 16, Category B Felonies, each punishable by 1 – 10 years. If convicted, Rodriguez-Martinez would be subject to lifetime supervision and sex offender registration.
An arrest warrant was issued on January 14, with Rodriguez-Martinez charged and arraigned the following day. Bail was set at $450,000, bondable.
According to the Criminal Complaint, Count I alleges that on or about Oct. 23, 2024, Rodriguez-Martinez engaged in lewd or lascivious acts not constituting sexual assault with a victim who was 13 years old at the time.
Count II alleges that between Nov. 27 and Nov. 28, 2024, Rodriguez-Martinez committed similar acts with a 14-year-old victim. Counts III-IV allege the same, which were said to have occurred on Jan. 17, 2025, and between Feb. 1 and Feb. 28, 2025.
During the Jan. 15 arraignment, Rodriguez-Martinez appeared without official counsel. Churchill County Public Defender Jacob Sommer was on hand to advise, assisted by court interpreter Maria Davis. Rodriguez-Martinez stated he understood the charges against him and chose not to waive his right to a preliminary hearing within 15 days. He also told the court he intended to fight all charges.
Judge Trotter found him public defender eligible and assigned the Churchill County Public Defender’s Office to represent him. Sommer said that Rodriguez-Martinez scored a zero on the risk assessment conducted by Churchill County Court Services and requested that he be released on his own recognizance (OR).
Senior Deputy District Attorney Chelsea Sanford opposed an OR release, stating that the nature of the offense itself presented a risk to the community and children.
In Nevada, a judge must decide how a defendant is released while a case is pending. A risk assessment tool is used to help guide that decision, but it is not a rule the judge must follow. Even if a defendant scores a zero, meaning they are considered low risk, the judge may order release on his or her own recognizance but is not required to do so. The law requires the judge to choose the least restrictive conditions that will reasonably ensure the defendant returns to court and does not pose a risk to public safety.
A judge may order release on own recognizance, release with conditions, or set monetary bail at a reasonably affordable amount. What the judge cannot do, without a separate evidentiary hearing, is deny bail altogether and keep the defendant in custody. That higher legal standard applies only when the state asks the court to hold a defendant without bail, not when the judge sets bail or other release conditions.
Judge Trotter ordered Rodriguez-Martinez’s release on his own recognizance, without bail, under the conditions that he have no contact with the victim, no missed court appearances, weekly contact with his attorney, and no new criminal violations.
Rodriguez-Martinez agreed to the terms of his pretrial release and to appear at all required court hearings. If he violates those conditions, he will be taken back into custody, and bail will be reset at $450,000 cash only.
Sanford clarified for the record that Rodriguez-Martinez would not be subject to Court Services supervision, which the court confirmed.
On Jan. 22, Rodriguez-Martinez appeared for a status hearing, represented by Churchill County Alternate Public Defender Wright Noel, at which time Noel indicated a conflict of interest and the need for another attorney to be appointed. Rodriguez-Martinez, who will be assigned another attorney, again maintained that he does not want to waive his right to a preliminary hearing within 15 days.
A status hearing was set for Feb. 5, 2026.
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